15.11.2022 – The Swiss residential property price index (IMPI) rose in the 3rd quarter 2022 compared with the previous quarter by 1.2% and reached 114.6 points (4th quarter 2019 = 100). Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, inflation was 6.3%. These are the results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). In the 3rd quarter 2022, in comparison with the previous quarter across Switzerland both the prices of sin-gle-family houses (+1.4%) and those of...
Read More »Why “Greedflation” Isn’t Real
Even as price inflation slows and we move past June’s peak, progressives continue to push the concept of “greedflation”—that this year’s price inflation is caused by corporate greed and price gouging. This is inaccurate, based on bad economics, and it blames a consequence of the problem rather than the problem itself. If we want to address the real issues in the economy and avoid similar pain in the future, we need to get serious and drop “greedflation” from the...
Read More »Barclays forecasts EURCHF trading around parity for the next few quarters
This is via the folks at eFX. For bank trade ideas, check out eFX Plus. For a limited time, get a 7 day free trial, basic for $79 per month and premium at $109 per month. Get it here. Barclays Research discusses CHF outlook and targets EUR/CHF around 0.97, 0.97, 0.98, and 1.00 by end of Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 of next year respectively. “We expect CHF to remain at the higher end of its historical range, with EURCHF trading around parity for the next few quarters. CHF...
Read More »Economic Calculation and the Great Reset
A grand plan is advanced by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Its name, “The Great Reset,” conveys the scope of this undertaking. Among its many audacious goals, it will “offer insights to help inform all those determining the future state of global relations, the direction of national economies, the priorities of societies, the nature of business models and the management of a global commons.” That is clearly all for the good. But what are the particulars? A number of...
Read More »BlackRock’s Fintech Bets Span Lending, Wealthtech, Crypto and More
BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset managers, has been actively investing in the fintech industry over the past decade, participating in large rounds of financing across a broad range of segments, from payments and lending, to wealthtech and cryptocurrency, a new analysis by fintech-focused research firm WhiteSight shows. The report, which delves into the investment firm’s fintech moves, shows that BlackRock has been a prolific fintech investors, dipping its...
Read More »SNB’s Jordan: Monetary policy is is still expansionary
SNB’s Jordan, who has been chatting more in the NY session at least of late, is no the wires saying: monetary policy is a still expansionary we have most likely to adjust monetary policy again inflation is very thorny and there is still a risk that inflation will rise further inflation rate is above our target now. Expect it to be above our target if we don’t take that into account central banks around the world are now in a tightening cycle Yesterday Jordan said:...
Read More »Poor Chinese and Japanese Data Are Not Deterring Euphoria
Overview: Recent developments have spurred a euphoria that is exciting the animal spirits. Greater confidence that US inflation has peaked, and new initiatives from China, and yesterday’s Biden-Xi meeting are all feeding this narrative. The dollar, which slumped last week, is sliding anew today. Strategically, we anticipated the turn, but tactically, we thought last week’s move had stretched the near-term technical condition. The dollar is sharply lower (~-1%)...
Read More »2023 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits
Worried about saving enough for retirement? You can put away more next year. The IRS has just announced the new retirement plan contribution limits for 2023. The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan increases to $22,500, up from $20,500. For individuals 50 and older, the catch-up contribution limit goes to $7,500, up from $6,500. So, if you qualify for catch-up...
Read More »Swiss Producer and Import Price Index in October 2022: +4.9 percent YoY, 0.0 percent MoM
14.11.2022 – The Producer and Import Price Index remained unchanged in October 2022 compared with the previous month. The index stood at 109.8 points (December 2020 = 100). Natural gas in particular became more expensive. In contrast, petroleum products showed falling prices. Compared with October 2021, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products rose by 4.9%. These are the results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). In particular,...
Read More »Where Crypto Went Wrong
You want to fix the world with finance? Then fix this: wages’ share of a financialized, globalized, speculative-bubble dependent economy have been falling for decades. Fix this and you really will change the world. Anything less changes nothing. Let’s start by stipulating my perspective on cryptocurrencies is neither positive nor negative in the usual context of “to the moon” or “worthless,” nor does it track any of the conventional narratives (decentralized finance...
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